Ngày 1/11, Thánh Jeronimo Hermosilla Vọng (Liêm), Dominican Bishop

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November 1st
Saint Jeronimo HERMOSILLA VỌNG (LIÊM)
Dominican Bishop
(1800-1861)

* The Pillar of the Vietnamese Church.

Saint Hermosilla Liêm was one of the three most intellectual and valiant missionaries in the history of the Vietnamese Church, together with Bishop Cuénot Thể (1835-1861) of the Diocese of the Cochin China and Bishop Retord Liêu (1840-1858) of the Diocese of Tonkin, they were the three pillars supporting the Vietnamese Church in its most perilous moment of the persecution. Especially Saint Bishop Hermosilla Liêm, always at the top of the “most wanted” list of three consecutive kings as well as governors of Nam Định, had skillfully completed his responsibilities flawlessly.

Thirty-three years of missionary works without a single day of peace and 20 years as bishop allowed him to witness untold miseries, but he also officiated the ordination of 4 bishops (Bishops Jimeno Lâm, Marti Gia, Alcazar Hy and Sanjurjo An), and ordained many native priests. He also guided the east vicariate of Tonkin in its solid growth that it could be partitioned into two, and when fallen under the executioner’s saber, according to historian Rodriguez: his right index finger still guided mankind to the stars.

* A Dream Fulfilled.

Saint Jeronimo Hermosilla Liêm was born on September 30, 1800, in Santo Domingo de la Calzada (Spain) in a poor but very religious family. At an early age, he studied with the Benedictine priests and had the intention of joining the order at the age of 15. Then, Spain was under the domination of Napoléon I, religious orders could not accept new recruits; so Hermosilla was introduced to the seminary in the diocese of Valencia run by the Dominican priests. These unusual events led him to the preachers’ order and its habits.

The following year (1820), Spain was in disarray; a few monasteries and convents were shut down; Church’s properties were confiscated; priests as well as religious who did not swear allegiance to the new constitution were jailed, exiled or murdered. Hermosilla had to leave the seminary and joined the military until 1823. When King Fernando returned to power, he rejoined the novitiate and professed his solemn vows on 10/29/1823. Three years of military life permanently left in him a daring spirit, bravery, and patience.

In 1824, upon receiving an invitation from the Dominican Province of the Lady of the Rosary of Manila, Brother Hermosilla and 11 others volunteered for missionary works in the Far East. After a six-month boat trip on the high sea, on March 2, 1825, these 12 religious arrived in Manila kneeling before the provincial superior and said: “Here I am, please send me.” It was a great joy for the provincial, because in the past 20 years, the provincial had only 27 new members while 86 died of old age. In 1826 brother Hermosilla was ordained a priest and became the director of the Rosary Center. In 1828 he volunteered for Vietnam along with three other missionaries. They departed Macao and arrived in North Vietnam on May 2, 1829. At 9:00 PM, he showed up at the residence of vicar Amandi Chiêu, and presented himself to Bishop Delgado Y the following morning.

The bishop must be jubilant. There were only three missionaries in the east vicariate of Tonkin: two Bishops Y and Hernares Minh, and the vicar Hiền, but all three were old and sick. Seeing the new missionary, the bishop ran out and ecstatically yelled: “Vọng, vọng, ước vọng, ước vọng” (Hope, hope, hope, hope). From then on, Vọng became the official name of Fr. Hermosilla. After a few months of diligently learning the Vietnamese language, Fr. Hermosilla Vọng did not disappoint the expectation of his elders. The priest blended in quickly with Christians as well as pagans with all his heart and love. Never tired, the young 30-year-old missionary traveled nonstop, visited parishes, preached, baptized and heard confession. His only disappointment was too much work and too little time. So he immediately wrote a letter to father superior of his provincial asking for more young, strong, and energetic missionaries.

* King Minh Mạng’s Father Vọng.

The first 11 years of missionary works, Fr. Hermosilla Vọng was the soul of the Dominican’s evangelization effort in the diocese: 4 years as assistant to Vicar Amandi Chiêu, 3 years as the provincial, 1 year as assistant to Vicar Hiền whom he replaced in 1838. But in reality, while serving as assistants, Fr. Hermosilla Vọng ran virtually every thing in the diocese because the vicars were old and weak. He raised the number of native priests to 40, enough to confront the approaching persecution.

The storm actually started in the east vicariate of Tonkin in 1838, when a letter sent by Fr. Viên to 4 missionaries and 2 Vietnamese priests was intercepted. Two bishops and the vicar were executed. Many priests, monks, as well as lay Christians spilled their blood for their faith. As one of the six addressees receiving the letter, Fr. Vọng was entered at the top of the most-wanted list of King Minh Mạng and Governor-general Trịnh Quang Khanh. Proclamation of 1/18/1839 had a section on him:

“Fr. Vọng is still not captured; government authorities, normal citizens, or any body, whoever arrests him will be rewarded 10,000 piasters.”

To help citizens recognize him, King Minh Mạng unintentionally gave us a glimpse of the appearance of this missionary:

“Tall, long nose, thick beard, clear but slightly pale eyes, white skin, majestic face.”

That is truly the description of a man full of energy and determination. In fact, in this dangerous period, always on the lookout and very cautious, Fr. Hermosilla Vọng traveled all over the place to dole out consolation to this person, encouragement to that person, and to celebrate sacraments as if he did not give an eye to the anger of “hell”. Of course, there were moments of suspense, such as the time he was on the verge of being captured along with Bishop Y, or the time he had to run for his life to escape a raid. There were also many nights he had to walk alone on desolate, twisted, and unfamiliar roads.

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Escaping Death By a Hair.

God protected Fr. Hermosilla Vọng on many unusual occasions. One time at Liễu Dinh parish, a soldier saw the priest sitting in a room, and immediately called for help. As the soldiers entered, the priest was sitting behind a curtain, praying the Our Father: “… Thy will be done...” But they could not see him, until they saw a bearded elderly man in the courtyard and arrested him instead, so the priest had time to escape. Another occasion, the Governor-general Trịnh Quang Khanh led 800 soldiers with dozens of boats, surrounding the village where he was hiding, but a storm came disrupting their plan. All the soldiers got was two boats sunk bringing with them 3 officers as well as its sailors, and many other boats scattered by the wind.

Toward the end of King Minh Mạng’s reign, the diocese was devastated severely. More than a thousand churches were dismantled; at some places, the church construction materials were surrendered to the province officials. Seminaries, 40 novitiate houses, 60 parishes, 20 Dominican communities, and 3 communities of the Lovers of the Cross sisters were destroyed and its members scattered. The two bishops and the vicar were executed; Christians seemed lost and rudderless. All burdens of the diocese started weighing on Fr. Vọng’s shoulders. Nevertheless, with the assistance of two foreign missionaries, 37 Vietnamese secular priests, and other diocesan priests, in 1840 the diocese baptized 143 adults, more than 1000 children, heard confession for 118,000 Catholics and witnessed the marriages of 1630 couples.

During this period, there were two anecdotes related to Fr. Hermosilla Vọng. The first one was about Fr. Hermosilla Vọng’s letter to the Dominican provincial superior reporting the existing conditions of Christians in North Vietnam, the bravery of the martyrs and the vibrant life (underground) of the Vietnamese Church during the stormy years. The letter made the whole provincial exited. At St. Dominic church in Manila, the religious community solemnly sang the hymn “Ta Deum” and celebrated a thanksgiving mass. This letter was reported everywhere making the whole world abuzzed with amazement and admiration. Pope Gergorio XIV wrote a pastoral letter of encouragement to the Vietnamese Church, and convened a panel to start the beatification process for the Vietnamese martyrs.

Under King Thiệu Trị, the persecution was eased somewhat, but it was still carried out at a few places. The Vatican appointed Fr. Hermosilla Vọng to replace Bishops Y and Minh who had died for faith. According to the plan, the consecration mass would be celebrated on 4/14/1841 in Vĩnh Trị, Phúc Nhạc, where Bishop Retord Liêu was hiding. Governor Trịnh Quang Khanh was informed; he led a raid that mistakenly captured two other missionaries: Berneux Nhân và Galy Lý. On their escorted trip back to the headquarters, people told one another: “See, that is Chief Vọng.” Governor Trịnh Quang Khanh could not hide his joy until he found out the mistake. In a rage, he ordered cages built to put them in, had the missionaries tortured viciously, stripped naked, and left them in the public square to be insulted. Afterward, under pressure from the French military, the king had them released (1843) (for additional information, see Saint Agnes Đê).

Two days later, Fr. Hermosilla Vọng started his trip from Hải Dương to Vĩnh Trị. Knowing the arrest of the two missionaries, he asked Christians to take him on a different route. Their trip took place at night, trekking through forests and crossing streams; very rarely they got to travel by boat, but mostly on foot. During the day, they hid in dense undergrowth, in the middle of a rice field, or in a bamboo bush. Governor Trịnh Quang Khanh set up intelligence stations everywhere. At a watchful station, Fr. Hermosilla Vọng had to bribe the deputy township chief and follow his plan to pass through his station. That night, according to instruction, the priest, in short-sleeved shirt and pants rolled up to his knees, his face darkened by mud and his hair hidden underneath a big palm-leaf conical hat ... held on to the tail of the horse that the deputy township chief was riding, and ran excitedly right behind him like a servant to pass through the watch station.

* The Wise Bishop.

Reaching Vĩnh Trị, Fr. Hermosilla Vọng found his way to Bishop Liêu’s chancery. That was a hut with an escape bunker underneath in case soldiers paid surprise visits. Here, on the 25 of April, he was ordained bishop. The new bishop found his way back to his diocese and changed his name to Liêm replacing the name Vọng still wanted for ten thousand piasters. Sooner after, the governor passed away.

Taking advantage of the calmer situation, Bishop Liêm worked nonstop. On June 26, he ordained Fr. Jimeno Lâm a bishop to be his assistant. After the ordination mass, he convened a meeting with priests to plan a new program of evangelization. From then on, the diocese was reawakened with a new life. Churches, rectories, convents and Houses of God were repaired. Christians contributed money to purchase freedom for those still imprisoned. A Latin-language school was established at Nam An (Hải Dương), then relocated to Lục Thuỷ. A theology school was set up at Mỹ Đông, Hải Dương. The bishop asked the faithful to specifically believe and to lean on the Blessed Mother, to continually pray the Holy Rosary, and to ask for the intercession of Saint Philomena the martyr. Afterwards, he chose this saint to be the patron saint of the diocese and asked for the permission from the Vatican to celebrate a thanksgiving mass every year[1] (http://www.gpnt.net/diendan/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=14#_ftn1).

Through the contributions of new priests as well as new missionaries, the diocese recovered quickly. Sacramental activities were increased every year. With some precaution, bishops could travel to celebrate sacrament of confirmation at many parishes. In 1844, he celebrated a solemn thanksgiving mass commemorating the patriarch St. Dominic. Priests, clerics, and the faithful took turn coming to Nam An church for 8 consecutive days. They met, renewed their friendship, exchanged news, and shared the experiences of their religious life. It was Bishop Liêm’s only grand mass which would later become the traditional thanksgiving mass of the diocese. The number of new catechumens grew bigger. On 8/22/1844, the bishop baptized 44 adults in Đông Xuyên diocese, among them a township chief, a township deputy chief, 8 village chiefs, and a monk...

That growth accelerated quickly. In 1848, when the number of Christians reached 184,000, the bishop asked the Vatican to split the diocese into two: the central vicariate of Tonkin (presently the diocese of Bùi Chu-Thái Bình) headed by Bishop Marti Gia; the other diocese with more people (10 million plus) but fewer Christians (0.4%) remained under Bishop Liêm. From then on, these two dioceses grew stronger even though King Tự Đức started a new round of persecution. In 1852, Bishop Liêm’s diocese baptized 388 adults and 2824 children, the majority of them were non-believers.

The last 10 years of Bishop Liêm were full of difficulties and travails. King Tự Đức decreed more persecutions. In 1855, when passing through the central vicariate, two catechists accompanying the bishop were kidnapped, the bishop had to beg the kidnappers all day before they relented. The following year, the bishop was arrested when he was on a pastoral mission at Hữu Bàng parish; he had to pay 300 piasters in ransom money to be free. In 1858 under severe persecution that threatened to eliminate all Christians, the bishop convened a meeting and decided to send half the missionaries to Macao, waiting for the right condition to return. He only kept 5 Dominican missionaries for both dioceses. In 1859, once again he had to change his name to Tuấn to prevent from being uncovered until the Proclamation of “Segregation and Integration” came out.

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* The Agony of the Shepherd.

How hard it is to describe all the searing pain felt by the shepherd from the evangelizing order! The executions of bishops Sanjuro An and Sampedro Xuyên and innumerable bad news arrived daily: churches destroyed, priests and catechists murdered. Soon, the Proclamation of “Segregation and Integration” was about to fall on Christians. Exercising the shepherd’s responsibilities, he wrote a pastoral letter to the faithful encouraging them to be contrite so that God would open his hands pouring down his good graces, and calling them have faith in God’s providence. Because “no matter how little are the leaves, if God does not let them move, they will not move at all.” He also urged them to practice their faith bravely and to meditate on Christ’s Passion to gain more courage.

In the still, quiet, and moonlit fall night of September 18, 1861, looking out at the surrounding, Bishop Liêm was full of emotions. He thought of the bewildered and lost flock without its shepherd, of Christian families being separated, wives separated from husbands, children without parents… But the closing of the seminary of Kẻ Mốt and the dismissing of seminarians that same night really made him heart-broken, because the seedlings of the Church had no place to grow. Fr. Khoa at this same moment was talking to the seminarians on his behalf:

“So far, the bishop has been triyng to keep all of you here, and providing for you education…Now, the bishop had to disband the seminary. If God still keep us alive, some day the bishop will call you back. The bishop sent his blessings and advised you all to lead an exemplary life and to always lean on God who is the benevolent father, and do not forget to pray for him, for the diocese and the Vietnamese Church. You prepare to leave tonight without saying goodbye to the bishop, else he could not hold back his tears…”

That same night, Bishop Liêm had to leave the village of Kẻ Mốt to seek refuge in Thợ Đúc. After 30 years of work in Việt Nam, he had accumulated so heavy a burden on his shoulders. Now, his health started to deteriorate; his hair turned completely gray; only his eyes were still lively. What a pity it is to see the elderly priest walking wearily on the slippery road as if he was climbing the Mount of Golgotha. What would tomorrow bring? He had no parish to serve and no place to hide, just postponing the eventuality of falling into the hands of his pursuers.

Accompanying the bishop was catechist Joseph Khang. They were discovered after three weeks of taking refuge in Thọ Đức. Able to slip away, they went on to Hải Dương aboard a boat, and then found sanctuary in a boat belonging to the Trương Bính’s. After several days, they encountered Bishop Valentino Vinh and Fr. Almato Bình arriving also by boat from Kẻ Nê. They encouraged each other and gave thanks to God for this wonderful reunion. Then they went on their separate ways.

Under Mr. Trương Bính’s vigilant protection, the bishop and catechist Khang were able to enjoy a few peaceful days until a quarrel between Mr. Trương Bính and his son made the son angry and went to the officials to accuse his parents of sheltering the European bishop. Township chief Bằng led his guards to arrest the bishop on 10/20/1861. The bishop then gave chief Bằng some money, asking: “Please arrest and jail only me and let these poor fishermen go.” As catechist Khang tried to pull up a boating pole to fight back, bishop told him: “Do not fight back, let’s leave it up to God’s will.” As a result the two were tied up and taken to Hải Dương.

* Entering Heaven Together.

After being questioned, the bishop was jailed in a cage too small to either lie down or stand up straight. He had to bend his back all day. Even so, he found ways to preached to his fellow inmates and baptized the chief’s son who would be executed with the bishop. On the evening of October 26, the guards’ screams at their capture of Bishop Valentino Vinh and Fr. Almato Bình awakened Bishop Liêm. The three soldiers of faith sadly looked at one another, but also felt very happy for the reunion in their final days.

On their execution day of 11/1/1861, the cages were carried behind a contingent of 500 soldiers and guards. Bishop Liêm, in the last cage and looking as reverent as if celebrating a grand mass, often blessed the faithful standing by the sides of the road. At the execution of field of Năm Mẫu, the three were freed to pray, they then offered their arms to the executioners to be tied to three wooden stakes. The sentences were read. Three drum rolls were sounded, and three heads were severed by sabers. As soon as the authorities left the site, Christians as well as non-Christians trampled on one another to touch their sacred blood.

The three bodies covered in blankets and buried at the site. Their heads were hung at the port of Hàn for three days, but Christians substituted them with three banana buds and took them to Yên Dật. Later they moved the remains to Thọ Ninh, and finally to the Martyrs Memmorial in Hải Dương.

Pope Pius X elevated Bishop Jeronimo Hermosilla Liêm to the rank of blessed on May 20, 1906. The bishop had fallen, but the truth he preached, his characters and his energy still live in the laity as well as the clergy of the diocese. All will follow in his footsteps to be witnesses of faith.

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Saint Valentino BERRIO VINH
Dominican Bishop
(1827-1861)

* Beautiful as a Love Song.

Saint Valentino Vinh’s life was lovely as a poem and eloquent like an immortal love song. In fact, his life of only 34 years with three years serving as bishop was not very outstanding, but it still was a heavenly song… His life was weaved with innumerable ups-and-downs, with countless agonies, and all the heroic successes. With the humble spirit of a man filled with love of God and love of man, he changed everything into a poem. He used joy to clothe all the despairs with all his perseverance, his enthusiasm, and his loyalty. He changed them with his deep meditations and his everlasting smile.

* Youthful Effort.

Valentino Berrio Ochoa Vinh came from a devout, but poor family of nobility descent. He was born on 2/14/1827 in Elorrico, diocese of Vich, Spain. His life was deeply influenced by his parents. He learned patience from his father, and inherited a vibrant faith, the adoration of the Blessed Mother, and the spirit of compassion from his mother. He has a special place in his heart for his mother, as we shall see in his letters to her even after he became bishop.

His father made furniture for a Dominican convent in the region, so Valentino had the chance to serve as an altar boy where he met the convent Dominican counselor priest. During his spare time, he sought out the priest to hear him talk about the works of Dominican priests in Vietnam, their sacrifices and their martyrdoms. From then on, the 12-year-old youngster dreamed of becoming a Dominican priest to serve in Vietnam. But because his family was destitute, he had to struggle greatly to realize his dream.

For six consecutive years, in addition to assist his father with his carpentry work, Valentino also had to complete his general studies as well as studied Latin. Following the example set by Jesus in the carpentry shop in the old Nazareth, he patiently waited for God’s will. At 18, through the assistance of a priest and with his parents’ blessing, he entered Logrono seminary. Here, he was well received by the staff, the superior and his fellow seminarians. All noticed his diligence, his piety, his self-denial and his compassion for others. The bishop on a pastoral visit to his village of Elorrio visited his parents and told his mother: “Mrs. Maria, your son will probably become a bishop some day.”

After completing his three years of philosophy program, Valentino went home to visit his family in the summer of 1848. Touched by his aging father still laboring to support the family, he asked for the superior’s permission to live off-campus for 30 months so that he could work to help his family while finishing his theology program. After two and a half year, at the suggestion of a professor, the bishop made him a substitute counselor at the seminary. This rare opportunity spoke volume of his trustworthiness. He was appointed to a position normally reserved for experienced and religious priests even though he was still a seminarian.

* The Devout Counselor.

Bishop Irigoyen’s trust in Valentino was more apparent when he granted the holy order of subdeaconate, transitional deaconate, and the priesthood all within a year span (1851). Valentino was well prepared. Elated, he wrote his mother:

“My dearest mother, yesterday 14/6/1851, the day I always dreamed of, was the day I was ordained a priest... You son was elevated by God’s love to an exalted position that even angels have to quiver...” (Letter 16)

After two years of working as a counselor at the major seminary, Fr. Valentino, still burned with his childhood dream, sought the advice of a Jesuit priest at Loyola, and then asked the bishop to let him join the Dominican order. When bidding farewell to friends, a person asked him: “After you leave here, when will you come back?” He replied: “I leave so that my hometown can have a saint.” And he began the journey to sainthood with a decisive decision: the trip from his home to the Dominican monastery in Ocana was a 4-day trip on foot; he walked barefoot and without money. His only possession was a prayer book. Only after constant begging by a sympathetic individual, he reluctantly rode in a horse-drawn carriage for a few legs of the trip.

Ocana, a well-known institute belonging to the Province of the Lady of the Rosary since 1830, where bishops Sanjuro An and Sampedro Xuyên, then bishop and auxiliary bishop respectively of the central vicariate of Tonkin, opened its door wide to welcome the well-respected priest, gave him its habits, and after a year in the novitiate, allowed him to profess the solemn vows on 1/12/1854. Three years later, he embarked on his childhood dream by going to the provincial in Manila, and from there, finding ways to Vietnam. During the six-month voyage on the high sea, the missionaries, including Dominicans, Franciscans, and Augustinians, lived the monastic life. Through his letter, he described: “We celebrated mass and prayed daily. During Easter Holy Week, we celebrated the washing of feet, contemplated the Stations of the Cross, lighted firecrackers to celebrate Easter, and additionally we also organized the adoration of the Blessed Mother during May Crowning. On June 17, 1857, he reached Manila to the joy of his fellow Dominicans who welcomed him at the ship dock and took him home. They sang “TA DEUM” in the chapel and gave thanks to the Blessed Mother right at the shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary.

* Making Sorrow into Joy.

On 3/30/1858, together with Rev. Riana Hoà and Rev. Carreras Hiến, Fr. Borrio Ochoa set foot on the soil of Việt Nam, went to see Vicar Nam and Bishop Sampedro Xuyên in Kiên Lao. The persecution was at its peak. Bishop An had been executed just 8 months ago; Bishop Sampedro Xuyên’s head was wanted, so he was constantly in hiding. In letter 93 sent home, Fr. Borrio Ochoa Vinh observed: “There is not a single clear day in this evangelization field. There is not a single day that goes by without having to keep a cheerful face. There is not a single day without sorrow to cry, or plans to be readjusted, or an undercover agent on surveillance and soldiers on the prowl.”

Fr. Valentino Vinh’s slippery path to the Mount of Calvary was about to commence. Here, everything was still foreign: language, traditions, geography, the people, and still others needed to be familiar with and learned. Even so, several days after meeting the shepherd of the diocese, all the priests had to go separate ways into hiding for security reasons. His feet were still wet, Fr. Valentino Berrio Ochoa Vinh had to muster all his wisdom and creativity to complete his missionary works and visitations. All had to be done in secrecy.

Two months had passed. Though his Vietnamese was barely passable, but the skills and virtues of this young priest were clearly evident. Bishop Sampedro Xuyên, facing the danger of being captured, had prepared for the future of the diocese. He used the power invested in him by the Church to choose his successor. He chose Fr. Valentino Berrio Ochoa Vinh. He confided to the bishop:

“Your Excellence, please put that cup away for me if possible…my heart is filled with worries and trepidations thinking of the position which you want to bestow upon me. But whatever comes from my mouth, my heart also wants to say, that is to follow God’s will, now and forever.”

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*Bishop with “Bamboo Staff and Paper Mitre”.

The ordination mass of the new Bishop Valentino Berrio Ochoa Vinh was a once in a lifetime event in the history of the Church. On the night of the 13 and early morning of the 14 of June, 1858 Bishop Sampedro Xuyên officiated the consecration mass in the home of the parish pastoral council president Chi in Ninh Cường. The mass was celebrated in secret in the middle of the night; not a single song was sung nor a single parishioner was there. The two concelebrants were Fr. Riana Hoà and Far. Carreras Hiển. As bishop elect, he came barefoot and empty hands; his new mitre was made out of thick paper as well as the bamboo crosier with the handle wrapped with straw were covered with gold-colored wrapping paper. He described the preparation for the ordination mass in a letter sent to Fr. Orge in Manila:

“I admit that I really want to get out of this obligation. But the bishop had counseled me countless times, so for my conscience sake I have to go along with the appointment... I do not want to oppose the obvious will of God. Right after the day I was informed, I barely had enough time to do a retreat. I listened to what God said to me in silence, because there was not a single book to help with the retreat, and even if searched, none would be found... Not only there was a lack of retreat books, but on the day before my ordination, only half of what we need for the mass was available, so the bishop, representative of the Holy See, and I had to be tailors. Thanks to God, when the time came, we had proper pontificals....” (Letter 79)

As St. Paul had considered himself a premature disciple, the new bishop also considered himself a premature bishop. Just 3 fresh months in Vietnam and at the age of 31 he had to oversee a diocese of more than 150,000 Catholics in the midst of the fiercest Christian persecution. At this moment, who else could understand his worries except God?

After the ordination, the two bishops and the two priests went to Quần Cống parish. Soon after, the security chief of Nam Định and his soldiers surrounded the village, dispersing the bishops and priests on their separate ways. Bishop Valentino Berrio Ochoa Vinh went to Trà Lũ; Bishop Sampedro Xuyên went to the village of Thôn Đông, then to Kiên Lao where he was captured on the 7th of August and executed by dismemberment on 7/28/1858. From then on, Bishop Valentino Berrio Ochoa Vinh had to assume the responsibilities for all of the central vicariate of Tonkin. Following his predecessor’s advice, the bishop left his diocese for Hải Dương where the persecution was still lenient. After four days of crossing rivers and perilous roads, he reached the town of Cao Xá of Hưng Yên province, and met up with Bishop Hermosilla Liêm and Fr. Almato Bình at their hiding placẹ. He then found a hiding place of his own in a well-placed trench in Mr. Thăng’s backyard of Tử Mê parish in the village of Hương La (Bắc Ninh). There he set up his chancery for the duration of his life as a bishop.

*The “Trench” Bishop.

Hearing Bishop Sampedro Xuyên’s death, however patient and calm, Bishop Valentino Berrio Ochoa Vinh half-jokingly expressed:

“The admirable Bishop Sampedro Xuyên had left me a very heavy burden. When I get to Heaven, I will sue him.”

In a letter to a friend, he wrote: “I arch my back carrying a load that I am fearful, very fearful of dropping…” As time went on, he searched for ways to get back to his diocese, but to no avail because the persecution in his diocese was still very intense.

According to Fr. M. Gispert, he was able to get back to his diocese once. He went to the Kẻ Mèn parish where, with Fr. Riana Hoà, they vowed to build a church venerating the Mother of Immaculate Conception, and made her the patron of the diocese if and when the persecution ended and peace returned to the Church with God’s blessing. This vow was finally realized when Fr. Riana Hoà became bishop. This magnificent and Gothic church venerating the Mother of Immaculate Conception, after being built and rebuilt three times, is still standing in Phú Nhai.

Returning to the story of the trench bishop, for the first six months he shared the sanctuary in Hương La with Bishop Alcazar Hy, auxiliary bishop of the east vicariate of Tonkin, until Bishop Alcazar Hy left to take refuge in Macao. From this trench, the trench bishop guided his diocese for three years. He lived the life of a cloistered monk, but he still was the soul of the diocese. His daily activities included praying, sacrificing, and writing letters to the priests and parishes of the diocese. Assisting the bishop with copying letters and communicating with the diocese were four seminarians and a medic, Mr. Thư of Cao Xá.

But very admirably, even living under such terrible conditions, the bishop still looked forward to the light at the end of the tunnel, still found the blue sky beyond the leaves, and prepared for the future of the diocese in this desperate situation. In the trench, he guided and taught theology to seminarians, the future priests. For his own review and the training of seminarians to be complete in the midst of the storm, he wrote to the treasurer priest in Macao, asking for a set of theology books, the set of “Contra Gentiles” by St. Thomas and especially the set of books on canonical laws.

For three long years, every thing happened in the trench, except for a couple of nights, the bishop left the trench to visit with and received the sacrament of reconciliation from Bishop Liêm, or to help the sick. All the activities were carried out within the boundary of the villages of Đức Trai and Tử Mê. Several times he had to collect his belongings to hide in another trench. His suffering and anguish were indescribable. He suffered because of the cramped and stifling living quarter, as well as inadequate food supply... He was heart-broken because he could not return to his diocese while the persecution was intensifying. Bad news came rushing in: one, two... then 19 priests were executed, catechists and so many Christians died because of their faith. In a letter to the Pontifical Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, he wrote:

“It is very possible that in a few more months, there will be no more missionaries, priests, seminarians, catechists, and should I say more, even Christians in my diocese.” (Letter 93)

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*Joy and Self-Sacrifice.

However unbearable was his living conditions, he was never bitter or complained. The “holy plan” of joy and sacrifice of the young carpenter-seminarian continued till this time. We could see these attitudes in a letter sent to his mother in August of 1860:

“My dearest mother,
You wondered about my life and the food I eat? My dear mother, my life is very wonderful, I am a bishop now! Food is available every day. Do not worry, Mother! We are not starving. But do you think that a bishop should be riding horses? No, we took off our shoes in the dark night, splashing through one muddy road to the next. But we are still happy. There was a day I had to muddle through six miles with rain overhead and slippery mud underneath. I fell down flat innumerous times. Even as a bishop, I still get wet like a rat and muddy all over. But Christians here are very nice, once getting to a home, water is ready for me to clean up before celebrating mass...
You probably said: “My little Vinh, such a life is so beneath you.” Not really, it is not bad nor unfitting a tiny bit. Here people live fully and cheerfully. God consoles us in our travail. Even as an “old boy”, I can still jump over puddle like a squirrel. Mother, as little Vinh had trotted over hills before, now his bearded face will scare all the devils in hell...”(Letter 116)

In fact, it took a person with a youthful and supernatural spirit to have such an attitude and words, witty as well as funny with a little antics mixed in. Those letters reflected the sacrifice and the youthfulness of the 34-year-old bishop. Such was the joy of saints whose hearts were filled with God. Very soon, with that joy and basic trust, he extended his neck to receive the executioner’s saber, and happiness could still be seen exuded from his bloody face.

In August of 1861, King Tự Đức’s Decree of Segregation and Integration came to cities and villages like a flood. The village of Hương La was no longer safe. Bishop Vinh went aboard a boat with Fr. Almato Bình, heading for Hải Dương. Here, a loving and emotional occasion came when they met Bishop Liêm and catechist Khang who were taking refuge in a boat. But his boat had to continue on. Reaching their destination, local Christians introduced and arranged for them to stay with a non-Catholic who was the village deputy chief. Unfortunately, his nephew went to the government officials, and they were captured on October 25th, 1861, put in cages and brought back to Hải Dương. There they again met Bishop Liêm who was also in a cage. Bishop Liêm was arrested 5 days earlier.

On Nov. 11th, 1861, the three missionaries were led to the execution field. The numerous escorting guards made it look like a procession. Bishop Vinh’s cage was between the other two. He calmly prayed as customary, and his cheerful face surprised many. At the execution field in Năm Mẫu, after allowing the missionaries a few minutes of praying, the executioners beheaded them to the beat of gong. Their bodies were buried there, later moved to Thọ Ninh, then Kẻ Mốt. Under Bishop Hiến, Bishop Vinh’s body was transported to Macao, and finally on to his homeland.

Pope Pius X elevated Bishop Valentino Berrio Ochoa Vinh to the rank of blessed on May 20th, 1900.[2] (http://www.gpnt.net/diendan/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=14#_ftn2)

[admin]

Saint Peter ALMATO BÌNH
Dominican Priest
(1831-1861)

* The Rosary and the Saber.

Saint Almato Bình’s portrait is a picture of a Dominican religious with a large forehead indicating intelligence, and a beard exhibiting perseverance. With a smile on his face, his eyes looked intensely down to his hands: his right hang holds an olive branch, a rosary, and a saber; the thumb on his left hand lightly touches the sharp edge of the saber as if testing its sharpness.

That portrait Bức highlighted the saint’s two traits: Trust in the Blessed Mary and reverence for the grace of martyrdom, not blindly looking for a senseless death, but happily accepting it.

* Fruitful Flower Bud.

Peter Almato Bình was born on Feast of All Saints on 11/1/1831 in the village of Santo Felice Saserra, parish of Vich, in the region of Cataluna, Spain. His father, named Salvio Almato, was a medical doctor and his mother was called Antonia. One of uncles was an evangelizing priest who was responsible for hearing confession all over the diocese. His younger sister also answered God’s call to serve.

Since the early age, Almato had showed signs of loving the life of the religious. When alone, he liked to arrange figures of churches or imitating priests celebrating mass. Occasionally, he gathered his younger friends to pray the Rosary, or to listen to his Bible story.

At 15, his family allowed him to enter the seminary. There, Almato had opportunities to read the stories concerning the evangelizing effort of the Province of the Lady of the Rosary in the Far East. From that, the thirst for evangelization always stayed alive inside him. At the encouragement of Bishop Claret, he decided to leave his friends and family to join the Dominican order in Ocana. After a trial period, on 9/25/1847 he entered the novitiate, and on 9/26/1848, he solemnly professed his vows.

In 9/1849 Almato arrived in Manila to start the theology program. Besides his studies, he liked to find a quiet place to pray and to read spiritual books. In 1854, he was ordained a priest, and then sent to Vietnam the following year. On 8/4/1855, Fr. Almato arrived in the east vicariate of Tonkin.

* Hardship and Perseverance.

Arriving in Vietnam, Fr. Almato, picking the name Bình for his Vietnamese name, remained in An Nam and Đông Xuyên for a time. Afterward, he went Kẻ Mốt seminary to study Vietnamese with Fr. Gaspar Nghĩa, then became the pastor at the Thiết Nham parish for more than a year. His health was not very good, he was sick very often. But inside the weak body was a boundless perseverance, enough to allow him to overcome all the hardship of the evangelizing environment.

From 1857 on, as the persecution got more intense, Fr. Bình had to be on the move constantly with very little rest in between. During the day he had to hide in damp trenches. A night he sneaked out and went by boat to serve the faithful living along the banks of the river. On days of surprised raids, he had to sleep in brushes, bamboo shrubs, or splashing through streams in the cold rain. Getting sick, hungry, and getting caught were the three dangers constantly following him, but God’s disciple overcame all through his bravery and youthful energy. When the persecution turned even more severe, the Dominican missionaries decided to temporary relocate half of its community to Macao; Fr. Bình volunteered to stay in Vietnam.

In a letter to his family, he wrote:

“Another priest and I have been hiding for the last 8 months in a home with an underground hiding place to escape raids by soldiers. But if you ever hear of my arrest, please do not cry. Be happy for me having such an honor.”

From 8/1861, as the result of the Decree of Segregation and Integration, the clergy could not find any safe place to hide. Fr. Almato Bình, who had previously left Thiết Nham for Kẻ Mê, then Thọ Ninh, went aboard a boat with Bishop Valentino Vinh floating on the Thái Bình River. At Hải Dương, they met Bishop Hermosilla Liêm and the catechist Joseph Khang. On 10/20/1861 at the time Bishop Liêm and catechist Joseph Khang was arrested, Fr. Bình and Bishop Vinh were escaping aboard another boat.

Following that event, knowing that hiding on a boat was no longer safe, so when a Christian named Cưu Trọng found them shelter at the home of a non-Christian medicine man named Thửa, the duo went to the house and were treated warmly. However, the homeowner’s nephew named Khán Cáp went to government officials with this information in exchange for monetary reward. To avoid being blamed for their arrest, he advised them of a different hiding place, and then led the two to a field where they were arrested by the waiting district chief of Thanh Hà. The date was 10/25/1861.

* The Gift of Everlasting Life.

The governor of Hải Dương, Nguyễn Quốc Cẩm, seeing the gentle demeanors of the European missionaries, did not mistreated them. He only asked for their names and questioned their missionary works. Fr. Peter Almato Bình answered: “I am a priest and my name is Bình. I am a Spanish and came to An Nam (Vietnam) to do missionary works at various places.” But he did not reveal the identity of any location.

Even though he had them jailed in separate cages, he ordered the jail warden to treat them properly and forbid him to use indecent words when talking to them. Somehow this “light-handed” treatment was overheard by the governor of Nam Định, Nguyễn Đình Tân, who went to Hải Dương himself and forced Governor Nguyễn Quốc Cẩm to sentence them to death by decapitation. On 11/1/1861 the anniversary of Fr. Almato’s 30th birthday was also his birthday in Heaven as well as those of Bishops Hermosilla Liêm and Berrio Ochoa Vinh.

On the execution day, three cages were carried behind a big contingent of troops. Fr. Almato Bình was in the first cage, calmly praying the Holy Rosary. His peaceful demeanor amazed all those present. At the execution field of Năm Mẫu, after allowing the missionaries a few minutes of praying, the executioners beheaded them to gong beats. Their bodies were buried there, and then moved to Thọ Ninh.

Today, his head is being venerated in his native land of Spain while his relics was buried in the church venerating the four martyrs in Hải Dương.

On 5/2/1909 Pope Pius X elevated this Dominican priest, Fr. Peter Almato Bình, to the rank of blessed.

[1] (http://www.gpnt.net/diendan/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=14#_ftnref1) Presently the Church no longer commemorates Saint Philomena, because this name found at her tomb is not her name.

[2] (http://www.gpnt.net/diendan/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=14#_ftnref2) Bishop Vinh’s letters was collected by Rev. Jacinto M. Garrastachi, OP, and published in Bilbao in 1951. Quoted from the book “Giám mục hầm trú” (The Trench Bishop), Sài gòn 1958.